Leigh Wood makes shock admission before boom-or-bust Josh Warrington rematch

Leigh Wood has not ruled out retirement if he loses his rematch with Josh Warrington this February, amid a short-fused press event on Wednesday.

The pair will dance once again early next year at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham in the former's hometown, sixteen months on from their first encounter.

Warrington let an early advantage slip, having led through six rounds before Wood delivered a seventh-round stoppage , with the star chasing a double.

Defeat however could spell the end of the road for the veteran fighter, who stated he deserves more credit for his performance during a rocky face-off.

"There will be no third fight, I promise you that," he said. "I don't know if I'm going to fight again after this. Everything, for me, comes down to winning this.

"To say I was down on points meant I didn't win one round through to round seven. I thought I won a round or two. The knockdown would have put it level.

"He won rounds, but at what cost? It cost him the fight. If he wants to do that again, he can. If he doesn't give me opportunities, I'll break him down in other ways.

"This is just as important for me. If I lose, it takes away the credibility of the first fight. I need to make sure I do a better job. I'm preparing for Josh at his best."

Wood ready for end-of-the-road - whatever may comes

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

While his opponent speaks of a fresh lease of life, and the chance to push on for further opportunities on his bucket list, it might truly be curtains for his rival soon.

Leigh Wood has arguably looked a shadow of his best self in his last two fights, including the first win over Josh Warrington, where a points loss seemed incoming.

His defeat against Anto Cacace showed plenty of heart and grit - but it also showed a man possibly coming to the bottom of the tank in terms of his energy levels.

The star has promised he will be in better shape for this rematch than he was for the original bout with Warrington, and he will have the vocal home support too.

But if defeat means the end, victory could prove the same too. Wood surely would love nothing more than to go out a hometown winner - and he now has the chance.

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